One of the programs I think the Department in general and public diplomacy in particular does really well is the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP).
IVLP is designed to identify future leaders in a country and bring them to the United States for a visit. The idea is to find them early and introduce them to US culture, government, etc. One returning IV said, "It is impossible to participate in this program and not be a friend of the U.S. forever."
I certainly hope so.
So last week we learned about the program, and today, we all participated in "openings," or the first meetings for new IVs. I was alone with an individual IV. She is young, but clearly super active. I am not sure she sleeps. Getting to meet her and talk about the work she is doing in her country (which for her privacy I won't detail here) reminded me once again why I am glad to be in the Foreign Service.
Did I mention I really like the "foreign" part?
In my last three years in the Department, I have not had any interaction with non-Americans. So it was really nice to remember what that is like and why this work is so cool.
You and your exciting life of networking and meeting people! Sounds so fun and so glam!
ReplyDeleteAren't you supposed to be locked in a dark, internetless hovel learning some language or something? Or I guess that hasn't started yet?
Glad you're getting to meet people and mingle! I'm sure they couldn't have a better hostess...